Today, December 4th, marks the 40th anniversary of the end of Led Zeppelin—one of the biggest rock ‘n roll bands of all time.
On December 4th, 1980, Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones officially announced in a press release that they decided not to continue as Led Zeppelin after the death of drummer John Bonham just over two months earlier.
The band said, "We wish it to be known, that the loss of our dear friend and the deep respect we have for his family, together with the deep sense of undivided harmony felt by ourselves and our manager, have led us to decide that we could not continue as we were."
While their fan base continually wants a reunion, Robert Plant continues to prevent that from happening. The band’s 2007 benefit show in London was the last time they played together.Plant has refused to do any more shows.
Robert Plant talked about why Led Zeppelin won't reunite:
"The responsibility of doing that four nights a week for the rest of time is a different thing [than a one-off show] 'cause we're pretty good at what we do. But the tail should never wag the dog. If we're capable of doing something in our own time that will be what will happen. We know what we've got."
At the time of Bonham's death, Zep were preparing for a U.S. tour in the fall of 1980.
John Paul Jones spoke about what Led Zeppelin might have been like had John Bonham not died: "We were optimistic. I knew it would have been interesting. It would have been musically interesting and it would have been nice to see us happy again. We were getting happy again. Because as I said, there were a few dark moments at the end of the '70s."
Robert Plant once discussed what people overlooked in Led Zeppelin's music:"A great sense of humor. 'Hot Dog' and 'D'yer Mak'er' [prn: Jamaica] and all those. There's so many songs. We were just having a good time. I mean that whole atmosphere that's supposed to have surrounded the band, really only surrounded the people who wrote about it. I mean there were some dark days, but it was very funny.”
[courtesy of Classic Hits Today]